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How will I know when it’s time to replace my propane water heater?

How will I know when it’s time to replace my propane water heater?

Hot water is something most of us take for granted – until our water heater breaks down and we’re left with cold showers and dirty clothes and dishes (not to mention a potential flood in the basement if we have a tank leak).

The idea, or course, is to replace your water heater before any of that happens. But how do we know when that time will come?

A good place to start is by looking for one or more of these signs, each of which could signal that your equipment is nearing the end of its useful life in your North Carolina home:

Age – On average, a storage-type water heater (one with a tank) lasts about 10 to 12 years* with proper maintenance (tankless water heaters can last nearly twice that long). But as your water heater gets older, its efficiency wanes, making a replacement with a high-efficiency model an increasingly smart choice.

Discolored water – Water with a rusty tint could indicate corrosion inside your water heater. A rusty water heater should be replaced immediately, before the storage tank fails and floods your basement.

Unusual noises – Rumbling or banging noises typically indicate a build-up of sediment inside your water heater tank. A tank flush might take care of the problem, but if the noises persist the water heater will probably need to be replaced.

Leaks – The metal in older, overused water heater tanks can crack and leak, leaving puddles behind. While some leaks can be fixed, most require you to replace your water heater.

Less hot water – If you notice that water isn’t coming out hot from the tap, it could mean that parts inside your water heater have worn down or are malfunctioning. In some cases, the problem can be fixed with a simple repair –but not always.

*If you are unsure of how old your hot water heater is, try checking the serial number on the manufacturer’s nameplate; this number will start with a letter, followed by a series of numbers. The letter will indicate the month the equipment was produced, and the following 2 numbers will indicate the year. For example, a heater marked with the serial number F151234567 was manufactured in June of 2015.